Morphological traits - desiccation resistance - habitat characteristics: a possible key for distribution in woodlice (Isopoda, Oniscidea).

ABSTRACT: Terrestrial isopods, as successful colonizers of land habitats, show a great variety in species distribution patterns on a global, continental, or regional scale. On a local, within-habitat level these patterns reflect the species' tolerance limits and the presence of suitable hiding places (shelter sites, refugia). Humidity preference reflects a species' capability for water retention which, in turn, depends on the integumental barrier. Desiccation resistance is a key feature in isopod survival under different environmental conditions. The present study shows a correlation between cuticle thickness and desiccation resistance under three relative humidity (RH) ranges (about 30, 75 and 100% RH) in nine species, relating these to the species' differences in meso- and microhabitat choices. Ha

SUBMITTER: Sonka D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6288246 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature